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University of Florida
College of Journalism and Communications
Media and Society
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UF College of Journalism and Communications
My UF education challenged me to think independently and develop
new ideas. Because of this, I began my career not only with the
hands-on skills needed to get started but also with the confidence
to share my ideas from day one.
—Tracy Loope, University of Chicago Medical Center
Media and Society
The changes in the way people interact with and use media, the
explosion in the use of social media, and the increased impact media
are having on individuals and society in today’s fast-moving global
economy are opening up new career opportunities in journalism
and communications. Employers need graduates who have strong
communication and analytical skills, understand the role and uses of
media in the 21st century, and can use new and emerging media and
storytelling to advocate for their business or cause.
Media and Society, an area of study in the University of Florida’s
College of Journalism and Communications, is designed for students
seeking to develop the skills needed for these types of opportunities.
After completing the core courses, students choose from an array
of courses within journalism, public relations, advertising and
telecommunication to tailor their education to prepare for careers
combining media use with sports, health, environment, law, advocacy,
politics or the corporate world.
The program also is designed for students who want a strong
communications background, but want flexibility to choose from a
variety of career paths or even go to law school or graduate study, and
for those students who intend to complete a double major to improve
the breadth of their education and increase their attractiveness to
employers. Increasing numbers of college students are completing a
second major in a communication discipline because media are so
prevalent in today’s society, whether they are students in business
who want better writing skills, political science students who want to
better understand how media impact public policy, or environmental
studies students who want to know how they can be more effective in
advocating for their nonprofit or social cause.
Career opportunities
Career opportunities for students in Media and Society are endless
because students design a program to match their career or education
interests. In addition to those outlined above, Media and Society also
appeals to students interested in learning how to turn their avid use
of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and blogging into
career opportunities.
Admission standards
& degree requirements
Specific admission and degree requirements for students in
Media and Society are outlined in the University of Florida Catalog.
Curriculum
Media and Society students take a core of courses that includes
writing, television and American society, mass communication
law, and problems and ethics. After completing the core, students
then choose electives such as race, gender, class and the media;
public opinion and editorial analysis; media and politics; and world
communication systems.
Students also gain expertise through internships at companies
and organizations throughout the country, membership in the
College’s many student organizations, or work at one of the College’s
seven radio or television stations and online operations.
UF alumni spotlight
Advisory boards of industry professionals work with the College on
issues of importance to the profession and to the College’s students.
These professionals evaluate the College’s programs, counsel students
and offer advice on resumes, internships and job opportunities.
The College’s many alumni are employed around the world,
many of whom hold leading roles in their organizations. These include:
• Erin Andrews, TEL 2000, ESPN reporter
• Sharyl Attkisson, TEL 1982, investigative correspondent, CBS News
• Angela Buonocore, ADV 1978, senior vice president/chief
communications officer, ITT Industries
• Chuck Cooperstein, TEL 1981, radio play-by-play announcer for the
Dallas Mavericks
• Michael Connelly, JM 1980, best-selling author, former reporter for
the Los Angeles Times
• Karen DeYoung, JM 1971, associate editor and senior national
security correspondent for The Washington Post
• Del Galloway, PR 1981, vice president of public relations,
United Way of America
• Mitchell J. Habib, ADV 1982, chief operating officer, The Nielsen
Company
• Carl Hiaasen, JM 1974, best-selling author and columnist for
The Miami Herald
• Cynthia McCague, JM 1972, retired senior VP and global head of
human resources for Coca-Cola
• Jennifer McMillin, PR 1988, executive vice president, GolinHarris
• Sara Sidner, TEL 1995, CNN international correspondent
UF College of Journalism
and Communications
The UF College of Journalism and Communications is considered one
of the nation’s best. The strength of its programs, faculty, students and
alumni throughout its history has earned the College ongoing recognition
as one of the top programs of journalism and communications in the
United States. The College offers bachelor’s degrees in advertising,
journalism, public relations and telecommunication, and master’s and
doctorate degrees in mass communication.
A nationally recognized leader in communications technology, the
College is an innovator in adopting electronic technologies for instruction.
The College supports a network of desktop and laptop computers, with
software applications for student use ranging from word-processing to
graphic design/photography to sophisticated data analysis and digital
video editing. Its Center for Media Innovation + Research utilizes digital
technology to train students to create content for all multimedia platforms
to better prepare them to work in the ever-changing world of journalism
and communications.
In addition, the College includes the Brechner Center for Freedom of
Information and the Division of Multimedia Properties, which includes
seven broadcasting facilities (north Florida’s PBS television affiliate,
WUFT-TV; the National Public Radio affiliate, WUFT-FM, and satellite
station, WJUF-FM; two commercial radio stations, WRUF, Sportsradio
850 and Country 1037, The Gator; Rock104.com; and commercial
television station,WRUF-TV6).
P.O. Box 118400
Gainesville, FL 32611-8400
www.jou.ufl.edu
UF College of Journalism
and Communications
352.392.0466
UF Department of Telecommunication
352.392.0463